Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review

Recently I tried a few Brooks Run Bras, including the Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra. Isn’t that name a mouth full? A lot of people remember when Brooks and Moving Comfort were separate. Brooks actually owned Moving Comfort for years, but people didn’t realize this!

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review

Brooks didn’t do a lot of great marketing to share that it was still the same brand but different names. Ultimately when Moving Comfort just became Brooks, people were left confused. They assumed their favorite sports bra brand left them. Spoiler: it did not.

When the changed happened, Brooks kept most of their Moving Comfort designs and favorites like the Fiona and the Juno. Then about a year later, Brooks overhauled all of their bras. This left many people upset because they had a favorite sports bra that was no longer made. Brooks changed too much, too fast, and in turn lost a lot of women who once loved their bras.

They even started calling them Brooks “run bras,” not sports bras. For us women, we know sometimes you do need a different bra for running versus sports.

Most of their run bras no longer have underwires (although there are rumors there will be more in 2022…I’ve asked…a lot). A lot of people have also complained the Brooks run bras are less supportive. As someone who spent 7+ years fitting women for run bras, I can say this is fairly accurate. Brooks sports bras are not as supportive as they once were. We are in a limbo phase with Brooks Run Bras, where there are new and good things coming out, but we must wait until next year.

So Let’s Talk About the Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra:

Materials: DriLayer HorsePower 72% Polyester, 28% Spandex

The regular sports bra features:

  • Compression support: The Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra moves with your body while providing compression and support.
  • Removable Cups: I know some people hate removable cups, but I like the option.

What makes the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra unique?

As the name suggests, there are pockets to hold things. There are two side mesh pockets and a bonded phone pocket in the back. The side mesh pockets are big enough to hold a key or gel. The back pocket is designed to hold your cell phone. It comfortably fits iPhone even with an otter box.

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review

Are Brooks Run Bras Supportive?

Yes and no. If you are someone who wears above a C cup and needs a lot of support, the answer is no. If you are someone who doesn’t need “the most support ever,” then you’ll be fine. The Brooks Run Bras are supportive, but they will not feel as supportive as many other brands.

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review
My cell phone fits nicely in there

My experience with the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra:

I’ve run close to 100 miles in the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra. I’ve run with and without my cell phone and with and without gels. A few things I like and a few I don’t.

What I don’t like:

The high neck. It comes above my tank tops. If I wear it without a tank top, I get a high neck tan line that looks like I put too much bronzer on my face and none on my chest. I wish the neckline were at the same level as most other Brooks Run Bras (or really any sports bra). It is a good run bra at the end of the day, but we are looking for a great run bra that is comfortable to hold a cell phone.

My back overheats: When I have my cell phone in the pocket, it feels heavy. I don’t chafe, but I sweat entirely too much. I like running with my Koala Clip better to hold my phone because it has a sweat-proof pocket, and it doesn’t feel as heavy (since the Brooks run bra almost feels compressed to your back).

Finally, if you wear anything above a size C, there isn’t a lot from the Brooks Run Bra collection you’ll love. If you appreciated the support of the previous staples like the Juno, they just don’t have it right now.

So What Do I like in the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra?

All of Brooks Run Bras are seamless and don’t chafe. Right off the bat, the Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra is just a good sports bra for women under a C cup. It keeps everything compressed, and it doesn’t move or chafe. Plus, I like the ability to store my key inside the sports bra.

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Cost:

For the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra, it is $50, which isn’t cheap. These days the only thing that is increasing more in price than running shoes is sports bras.

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Conclusion:

I’m not sure I will ever love a sports bra with a pocket in the back for a cell phone. While the Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra doesn’t chafe, it does feel like a “lot on your back.”  I do think all of Brooks Run Bras are quality made, and I can justify the price, but I don’t think I’ll be storing a cell phone in mine. I will store my key and a gel which it’s nice for. I think it would be a great racing bra if you are looking for something to store fuel and not hold anything.

Brooks Drive 3 Pocket Run Bra Review

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You can find the Drive Pocket Run Bra and any of the Brooks Run Bras here.

Questions for you:

Have you tried any of the Brooks run bras? 

What is your favorite running or sports bra?